Party General Secretary Tô Lâm met with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Việt Nam. VNA/VNS Photo

SEOUL — Consistent with the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation, and diversification, Việt Nam values its relationship with the Republic of Korea (RoK) and seeks to further deepen substantive, effective cooperation commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm affirmed.

During a meeting on Sunday in Seoul with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Việt Nam, the Vietnamese leader expressed his gratitude to Korean friendship, economic, cultural associations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs for their significant contributions to nurturing the Việt Nam–RoK relationship.

He emphasised that in recent years, bilateral relations have developed broadly and achieved encouraging results across all fields, positively contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. Việt Nam and the RoK have become each other's leading partners in many sectors. This RoK visit underscores Việt Nam’s strong determination to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with the country, aiming for higher political trust, closer strategic coordination, more substantive and comprehensive cooperation, and stronger people-to-people bonds, he noted.

The Party chief expressed deep appreciation for the goodwill and support offered by Korean organisations, enterprises, research institutes, and friends of Việt Nam, and expressed confidence that bilateral ties will continue to flourish.

At the meeting, Korean delegates praised Việt Nam’s remarkable development, welcomed the increasingly close and comprehensive strategic partnership, and pledged ongoing support to help Việt Nam’s development and to act as a bridge further strengthening Việt Nam–RoK relations.

Chang Ho-ick, Chairman of the Association of People Loving Việt Nam in the RoK (VESAMO), shared that over the past 20 years, his association has conducted numerous charitable activities supporting victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin and awarding scholarships to poor but studious students across Việt Nam. He affirmed that with sincere affection for Việt Nam, every member of the association will always stand with and accompany the Vietnamese people.

Professor and translator Ahn Kyong-hwan expressed his pride in his lifelong bond with the resilient Vietnamese nation. He noted that Việt Nam’s history of nation-building and defence has forged a strong sense of independence, self-reliance, and national values.

He highlighted that since the launch of Đổi mới (Renewal) in 1986, foreign investment and exports have surged, contributing significantly to Việt Nam’s socio-economic development, although foreign enterprises still face challenges, especially in administrative procedures.

Professor Ahn said he believes that Việt Nam is undergoing another “August Revolution,” a large-scale institutional reform aimed at streamlining administrative management, comparable in scale to the August Revolution of 1945. He expressed confidence that efforts to streamline government and organise a two-tier local administration will succeed.

Chairman of the RoK–Việt Nam Friendship Association Lee Shin-jae said the association takes pride in supporting the bilateral relationship’s growth through projects such as building infrastructure and equipment for schools, vocational centres for people with disabilities and orphans in disadvantaged areas, disaster relief, scholarships for poor Vietnamese students, support for the Vietnamese community in the RoK, and fostering economic and scientific cooperation.

He stressed that with a foundation of friendship and mutual trust, the Korean and Vietnamese peoples can overcome any challenges and work together toward a prosperous future.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn presented the Việt Nam’s Friendship Order to Chang Ho-ick in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting friendship and cooperation between the people of Việt Nam and the RoK in culture, education, economy, and humanitarian aid. VNS